Bountiful Spirit - February 22, 2021

Ephesians 2: 2-10

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Reflection by John Torrence

There is no denying that we “miss the mark” when relying on our own “lower nature”.Sin kills our innocence and deceives us into a complacency that defeats the will to love fully.Sin is fundamentally about going against the very core of God’s heart. Only because of God’s Love through His Grace are we made right.We can only accept it with faith.

Prayer: Lord God, we thank you for your infinite Love that never gives up on us. We know, from Your Word and from the sacrifice of Your Son, what You want us to do.Help us to show gratitude by living the life You have planned for us. May it glorify Your name and bring more people to know your Son as Lord and Savior. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.